Bronny James stats tonight: Lakers make shocking decision to give LeBron James' son meaningful minutes against Joel Embiid-less 76ers (Jan. 28)

The LA Lakers made a shocking decision on Tuesday after giving LeBron James' son Bronny James early and meaningful minutes against the Joel Embiid-less Philadelphia 76ers. The Lakers were shorthanded in the backcourt as Gabe Vincent was out. Meanwhile, Shake Milton failed to step up in his absence in Monday's clash against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Milton was a non-factor defensively, too. With Bronny coming off a career-high 31-point night and the Lakers facing a severely shorthanded 76ers team, JJ Redick didn't hesitate to give the rookie real NBA basketball experience for the first time in his career.

Bronny had a few growing pains in his first stint. The 20-year-old struggled heavily on offense, especially with the game's pace. Bronny did, however, manage to get an assist to his name. He had two turnovers and was 0-for-1 on his only attempt from deep. Bronny was a +/- -7 as the Lakers went into the second quarter with the game tied 25-25.

Bronny James continued to play meaningful minutes in the second half. He returned to the game in the third quarter after not playing for the entirety of the second.

Bronny still couldn't make an impact for the Lakers, though. He remained scoreless for the rest of the game, going 0-for-5, including 0-for-3 from 3. Bronny had five rebounds, one assist, one block, and three turnovers with one personal foul. He was a +/- -8. The Lakers rookie played 15:16 minutes, his highest in the NBA.

The Lakers ultimately lost 118-104. Bronny James' father, LeBron James, had 31 points, eight rebounds and nine assists on 10 of 16 shots, while Dalton Knecht added 24 off the bench. The Lakers never got back in it after Anthony Davis went down injured in the first quarter.

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Despite scoreless outing, Bronny James suggests he was more 'more prepared' to contribute

Bronny James hadn't played more than five minutes in any NBA game before Tuesday's clash against the 76ers. The rookie usually received minutes at the end of games. However, JJ Redick made a bold choice to play Bronny in the first quarter amid Gabe Vincent's absence.

Redick believed the rookie would infuse energy into the lineup with his disruptive play, which has been on display during his G League stints. However, Bronny didn't have a great game. He registered his eighth consecutive scoreless outing for the Lakers.

Nevertheless, Bronny James said he was more prepared for the game than his debut on opening night against the Timberwolves.

"Absolutely not, I feel like I'm a lot more prepared now," he told reporters. "Just coming out and staying ready, after the G League stint and this season being down the road a little bit more. Just staying ready."

It wasn't his best, and there's more Bronny could have contributed. However, it was his first time playing a significant role for the Lakers in the rotation. Moreover, he had just joined the team and didn't have much practice time with the veterans.